Cokesbury bookstore closing in downtown Nashville

A popular Christian bookstore that has been an institution in downtown Nashville for several generations is closing its doors for good this week.

The Cokesbury bookstore on Eighth Avenue South is selling out its remaining inventory - even the bookshelves themselves.

The United Methodist Publishing House is closing all 59 Cokesbury stores nationwide as part of a restructuring plan.

"We are going to make all the products available to our customer base, but just in different ways they're choosing to shop right now," said Ed Kowalski Sr., vice president of marketing and sales for Cokesbury.

Now, customers will be able to shop online, through catalogs and through direct sales.

Store officials said workers who don't transition to other jobs within the publishing company will get a severance package.

The bookstore closure opens up some valuable real estate next to the new Music City Center, but representatives for the company said no decision has yet been made about what happens to the site.

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